For the last three years, including last weekend, August 3-5, I’ve had the privilege of helping lead a young adult Charis retreat weekend called “What’s Next?: Finding Answers With Faith” at the Jesuits’ Ignatius House Retreat Center in Atlanta, GA. This year, I put my admittedly amateur video skills to work in order to make a “highlight reel” of the weekend. If you want to get a sense of what some young adults are looking for, and what our retreat was like, have a look at our video!:

Already There is now available in audiobook version. You can sample it, and download it, at Audible.com. You can ‘read’ it in about six and a half hours, which is about four hours less than I spent recording it! For you multi-taskers, just imagine the things you can do while listening to the book :). And you don’t have to wait for it to be shipped, you can download it immediately! Get it here.

With targeted advertising, I often see such ads as the one above which promises to find other Christian singles for me to match up with. I also get promises of many other things in my spam folder, which I’d rather not mention. But the question of what it means to be a Christian single, and whether one can be content being so is an important question. It’s also an interesting question for me because I’m a Christian who is permanently single. So, last year, when my friend Beth Knobbe was soliciting articles for a collection of essays on living the single life as a Christian, I wondered: Do I count?

It’s an interesting question because for so many people being “single” means also to be “looking.” Looking for that person that you might want to spend the rest of your life with, or just looking for someone whose company you enjoy who might make life a little less lonely. But it could also mean that you are looking for God. Which is often the case for me despite the fact that we are already “in a relationship.” But often “it’s complicated.”

For me as a priest being single means occasional loneliness, and even a bit of grief now and then over the fact that I don’t and won’t have that kind of relationship that two people who commit their life to each other in marriage hopefully do. It also means now and then wondering, “what if . . . ?” Yet, most of the time, my life is fulfilling enough that I’m not preoccupied with these questions.

Thankfully, Beth said that I did count, and so I did take a little time to write a brief essay, as did many others, about the experience of being a Christian single. Those essays have been edited and collected into a book by Beth called Party of One: Living Single With Faith, Purpose & Passion, which will be published this summer. So, if like me you have some questions about what it means to be single, and if you count, I’d encourage you to grab a copy when it becomes available, and even pre-order one now if you’d like. Click here to access the Amazon page for the book.

You just might find that you are not so alone in the many joys and challenges you’ve discovered in being a Christian single yourself. And for those of you that aren’t single, it might be a reminder of what it was like, or what some of your single friends might be experiencing (or not). I know I’m looking forward to reading the other essays in the book!

I was excited recently to find myself pictured on the cover of America magazine (see photo). How that happened I’m still not quite sure. But I’m even more excited by the latest issue of America!

Emilie Griffin has offered a very kind review of two books by Fathers named Mark, Fr. Mark Thibodeaux’s book, God’s Voice Within, and my own book, Already There. It’s a nice commentary on our similarly-themed, but very different books. Here’s how she starts:

“Ignatian wisdom is universal and has blessed many (including me). No question, St. Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus, meant this practical spirituality to speak in all times, places, cultures and all life’s seasons. That original vision is fine-tuned and fresh in the hands of two very different Jesuit spiritual masters. Mark Mossa and Mark Thibodeaux, both Jesuit priests who are creative teachers, directors and ministers, bring life to the ancient path. And it is good; we who were once formed by it have reason to welcome these new treatments of spiritual life in all its depth and surprise. Each author pins down for the reader a yearning, a sometimes disturbing voice, coming out of real stories, personal pitfalls and God’s sometimes puzzling response.

Mark Mossa, long a minister for young adults, now teaches theology at Fordham University. He seems to have spent most of his life growing up; he wants to help others through the same self-doubt, darkness and blundering. With chapters like “Living in Palookaville,” “Taking the Scary Bits Out of the Freezer,” and “Who Told You That You Were Naked?” Mossa buttonholes the reader. After stumbling through most everything in life (that’s his version of the story), he puts his practical insight to work for us. “Already there” is the seemingly casual phrase he uses—insists on—to tell us how he eventually learned (and has to keep relearning) that the Lord was with him through every dilemma, every pratfall . . . “

My friend Mike Hayes has written a nice response to my “Friends and Contacts” post, and in doing so named me a recipient of one of his Lenten “50-Day Giveaway” gifts. THANKS, MIKE!!!

The gift will certainly find pride of place on my desk, and is rather appropriate to the course I’m teaching this semester on Catholicism and Popular Culture in America. The gift is a “buddy Christ,” which you might remember from the movie Dogma. This week in class we’ll be discussing the movie The Exorcist, but we will finish out the semester discussing Dogma. So, I’ll definitely bring my gift along with me to class that day!

Mike is a good friend, and a great disciple to young adults across the nation! He’s way up there in Buffalo these days, so I don’t see enough of him. Still, I thank God for the gift of his friendship. And, yes, he is among the privileged few who appear in my text-messaging inbox!

He blogs at “Googling God,” which you’ll find a link to in my Blogroll, and a feed from down below that.

THIS ALSO SERVES AS A CHANCE FOR ME TO WISH A BLESSED EASTER TO ALL MY ‘BUDDIES’!

It’s been nearly eight months since I started up this new blog on WordPress. During that time, I’ve written about sixty posts. It’s hard to know what will catch people’s attention, and because I get very few comments, I’m not always sure what speaks to people and what doesn’t. But one of the most interesting things that has happened is with regard to a post I wrote rather early on, last September, called “Which Team Are You On?” (click to have a look). It was a post put up rather hastily, based on a homily that I’d preached that day, in which I used talk of “Team Edward” and “Team Jacob” as a means of illustrating a point about that day’s readings. To date, it’s the most read post on my blog, with visits to that page nearly every day! I don’t know if the people that end up there leave disappointed, but it’s got me thinking about something I already think a lot about–how to get the message of Jesus out to people who wouldn’t normally hear it, or be receptive to it. I’m willing to get on the Team Edward or Team Jacob bandwagon, if that’s what it takes!

This has got me thinking that somehow engaging “trending” topics on Christian blogs might be a more effective means of evangelization than a lot of the myopic infighting which takes place via many blogs. Sure, many of those blogs get lots of hits, but mainly those are from people who want to get into the fight! And perhaps we should be thankful that those who don’t normally hear the message of Jesus don’t end up there, because they might get a poor representation of what the message of Jesus is really about. But I digress . . .

I’m starting to think about how such a discovery might lead to a more effective strategy for reaching, for want of a better word, the “unchurched.” What other topics might garner such traffic from a more “non-religious” crowd? Stay tuned, as soon I might try out some different strategies, to see how they pan out (sifting for gold!). And I know I said I don’t get many comments, but I would welcome comments, e-mails or feedback from anyone who knows of such strategies that are working, or may have some ideas about what might work.

I’m becoming increasingly convinced that the future of the Church lies in evangelization, which will require us to go in new and creative directions (and perhaps some arm-twisting for us often reticent Catholics), so that we can be sure we’re not just preaching to the choir, but also to those who belong to other “teams.”

After a pretty busy February spent giving talks and retreats in various places, I’ve finally reached my Spring Break vacation, of sorts. I’m about halfway through my week in L.A. which has been a great time to reconnect with family and friends and prepare myself for what promises to be the somewhat overwhelming experience of my first Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, which some refer to as “Catholic Disneyland.”

My brother lives and works here as the Art Director for the show Parks & Recreation (my mother was somewhat taken aback a couple of years ago when he said his new job was with Parks & Recreation! She hadn’t heard of the show.) I spent the first part of my trip with he, his wife, and their three children. They have twins–a boy and a girl–who are, as my nephew repeated more than once, “6 and three quarters” years old, and another four year old daughter. The weekend was a reminder of the pros and cons of family life, as we moved from one sporting event to another. There was T-ball with my nephew, where I was drafted as a third base coach, and practice for the two girls’ soccer teams that my brother coaches. One of the Moms asked me, “Has he always been so wonderful with kids.” And while this was the first time I’d seen him coach, I had to admit that he’s pretty darn good! I’m also proud to see what a great father my little brother has turned out to be! Saturday was soccer practice, and Sunday was the soccer games, and I had the joy of seeing my youngest niece score a goal!

She scores!

It was a bit of a surprise, because just minutes before she didn’t seem so into the game! This was true of most of the girls on the team, whose interest seemed to wax and wane throughout the game. Sustained competitive intensity is probably not so a common a trait for most four year old girls.

While all this was going on, I also provided entertainment–some voluntary, some not–for the niece and nephew who was not playing at the time, at one point simultaneously pitching balls to my nephew and kicking the soccer ball with my niece. It was wonderful to spend time with them, as I don’t see them as often as I’d like, but also exhausting! A reminder that I really need to get into shape!

I also had a wonderful dinner last night with my friend TerriAnn, who asked if she could bring her boyfriend, Ronnie Kovic, along. I wrote back to her that I would be delighted if he could come and, isn’t his name the same as the guy from Born on the Fourth of July? Not only was it the same name, but also the same guy! It was wonderful to see TerriAnn, who I always visit when I’m in L.A., and to meet Ron, who is a lovely man, and who doesn’t look anything like Tom Cruise! 🙂 It was a privilege to meet a man who has really struggled with great hardship in his life, but has now achieved such great peace. And he an TerriAnn are such a lovely match.

TerriAnn & Ron

We talked for hours, about all sorts of things. Ron quizzed me on what I’ve been doing, I of course asked him about his experiences (and since I’m a movie nut, it was also exciting to be sitting with a Golden Globe winner!), and I got caught up with TerriAnn, who I hadn’t seen since my last visit to L.A. How wonderful it was to see my friend, who lost her husband some years ago, to be so happy with someone new! What a blessing.

All this is a prelude to the L.A. Congress which I hope will be an enriching experience, and also an opportunity to spread the news about my book, and to see a lot of friends and colleagues from around the country who I don’t get to see as often as I’d like! I’ve also volunteered to be available for Confessions, which is always such a great privilege.

The second installment of my “Thoughts for the Week” interview (see below) is due to air this Sunday morning, for you early-risers! For those who, like me, don’t rise quite so early, you can listen to part 2, and part 1, of my “Thoughts for the Week” interview at Spirituality.org.

My sincere thanks to the folks at Clemons productions and the Diocese of Bridgeport for this wonderful opportunity!

May I please ask your prayers for one of my interviewers in these two interviews, Fr. Mark Connolly, who has been experiencing some health problems lately? Thanks.

Several months ago I had the opportunity to discuss Already There with Kris McGregor, of “Inside the Pages.” The interview is now available for stream or download by clicking here. I especially enjoyed this interview, and have been anxious to see it posted. I hope you enjoy it too!

Kris also has a large archive of interviews with a wide variety of Catholic authors available at her site. It’s well worth checking out, though you might be there for a while!

“The truth will set you free.” John 8:32 I’m never a fan of lying. My students know that one of the worst things that they can do to me is to lie to me and that I value their honesty above all things. Even when they wish to criticize me, I tell them that I’d […]